| August 2012 | Past Issues/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Advertise |
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 22, 2012 CRA Board of Directors Meeting, Palm Desert, CA See CRA's Calendar page for more information on CRA's upcoming events. VENDOR NEWS
 Atlas Copco AB recently acquired Gazcon A/S, located in Denmark. The acquisition extends Atlas Copco's offering of nitrogen generators and adds oxygen generators to the range. Gazcon is based in Lynge, northwest of Copenhagen, where it designs and manufactures generators using technology known as pressure swing adsorption (PSA). The company had revenues in 2011 of around MDKK 25 (MSEK 30) and employs 21 people.
Learn More...  A website redesign with state-of-the-art product showcasing, comprehensive support and effortless navigation is the new experience at www.billygoat.com. Website visitors can examine Billy Goat products through an all-encompassing 360-degree view, learn about each product in full detail and glean insightful tips through the Technical Support feature. Product and Customer Support is abundant from online product warranty registration to frequently asked questions and operator manuals and parts lists.
Learn More...  As announced in an August 6 company press release, Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power recently reached an agreement to outfit equipment from SpeeCo, Inc. with Vanguard 10-gross-horsepower single-cylinder engines. The Vanguard engines will be placed on SpeeCo PowerPro 22- and 28-ton horizontal/vertical log splitters. Ranging in size from 10- to 35-ton, SpeeCo Power Pro log splitters feature the leading log splitting technology and industry-best features to make splitting wood quicker, easier and safer. That technology combined with the reliable power of a Vanguard engine delivers maximum splitting force to any job.
Learn More...  The Cat C175-16 diesel generator set from Caterpillar Inc. has been certified to meet United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 Interim emission standards. This 60 Hz package - rated at 3000 to 3100 ekW for standby and mission-critical power, 2725 to 2825 ekW at prime power and 2500 to 2600 ekW at continuous power - offers fuel efficiency and lower emissions in a compact footprint.
Learn More...  Point-of-Rental Systems will host its first annual Dallas Conference & Training Event on September 26-28. This event also serves as the kickoff to the software company's newly revamped regional training conferences that are held throughout the fall and winter months. Featuring aspects similar to Point-of-Rental's annual user meeting that previously took place at The Rental Show, this multi-day event will incorporate advanced software training as well as round table forums to help guide future software development.
Learn More...  A company press release of August 9 reported that the first quarter of 2012 proved a strong period for Wacker Neuson, especially in its core markets of Europe and North America (EUR 274.0 million, increase of 29 percent on Q1 2011). Revenue continued to grow in the second quarter, rising 7 percent on the prior-year quarter to EUR 284.2 million (Q2 2011: EUR 266.9 million). "Demand in the European construction and agricultural industries slowed during the second quarter, which inevitably dampened revenue growth for this region," explains Cem Peksaglam, CEO of Wacker Neuson SE. "By contrast, strong light and compact equipment sales in the Americas pushed revenue in this region up 23 percent on the previous year's quarter - a result that significantly exceeded our expectations. This development confirms that a broader international footprint enables us to absorb economic fluctuations more effectively."
Learn More...  Aztec Tents recently announced that it is continuing its initiative for building the highest levels of customer service with the hiring of industry veteran Eric Lee as Production Manager. Lee's duties will include maintaining and improving efficiencies across all operational aspects of the company. Lee joins Aztec after working in operational roles for the United States Golf Association and Choura Events over the last two decades. As manager of U.S. Open operations, Lee led a team of USGA employees, along with a group of local and national vendors in the construction of the facilities for the U.S. Open Golf Championship. Most recently, while working for Torrance, Calif.-based Choura Events, Eric worked with purchasing and internal operational controls to improve workflows and efficiencies.
Learn More... BUSINESS NEWS
In the August 10 Alert Newsletter, the California Chamber of Commerce highlighted problems August 8 with the private sector pension mandate in SB 1234 (de Leon; D-Los Angeles/Steinberg; D-Sacramento). SB 1234 mandates private non-unionized employers that do not offer a retirement plan to enroll their employees in a government-created program. The bill subjects employers to significant cost, fiduciary responsibilities and liability with no commensurate benefit to employees by requiring employers without a retirement plan to enroll their workers in the new "California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program" or pay a penalty of $250 per employee.
Learn More... "Job-killer" bills increasing employer exposure to discrimination litigation were the focus of two new installments of CalChamber News, released as legislators returned to Sacramento following the summer break. The California Chamber of Commerce is urging members to ask senators and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to oppose AB 1450 (Allen; D-Santa Rosa), AB 1999 (Brownley; D Santa Monica) and AB 2039 (Swanson; D-Alameda).
Learn More... CARB
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is geared up and its inspectors and enforcement teams are fanning out across the state this month to "do everything in our power to make sure truckers know the rules and that they understand how to comply." CARB is coordinating with other agencies such as the CHP to ensure that truck owners are in compliance with the Truck & Bus Regulation and is busy working on agreements to enlist other jurisdictions (local air districts, harbor police, etc.) to "help enforce" the diesel regulations. Do not be surprised to see someone other than a CARB employee conducting truck inspections.
Learn More... All diesel-fueled trucks, buses, trailers and transportation refrigeration units operating in California, including those based out-of-state, have requirements to reduce air pollution and improve the state's overall air quality. Don't miss the fast-approaching Tractor-Trailer GHG reporting deadlines! The reporting deadline for large fleets was June 1, 2012. The reporting deadline for small fleets is September 1, 2012. Click on "Learn More" or call the California Air Resources Board (ARB) Diesel Hotline at 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735) for more information. Operators are also available to answer questions in Spanish and Punjabi.
Learn More... The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks must be retrofitted with PM filters beginning January 1, 2012, and older trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally owned diesel fueled trucks and buses and to privately and publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds. Small fleets with three or fewer diesel trucks can delay compliance for heavier trucks by reporting and there are a number of extensions for low-mileage construction trucks, early PM filter retrofits, adding cleaner vehicles, and other situations. Privately and publicly owned school buses have different requirements.
What's New: Three Day Pass Form (June 29, 2012)
The Three Day Pass Exemption Form is now available for download. A Three Day Pass is a temporary permit that allows a fleet owner to operate one vehicle per calendar year in California that does not meet the emission reduction requirements of the Truck and Bus regulation.
Learn More... The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP) program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering, and engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation. The Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) program requires that diesel and bus fleet owners conduct annual smoke opacity inspections of their vehicles and repair those with excessive smoke emissions to ensure compliance. All vehicles that do not pass the test must be repaired and retested. A fleet owner that neglects to perform the annual smoke opacity inspection on applicable vehicles is subject to a penalty of $500 per vehicle, per year.
Learn More... On July 26, 2007, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a regulation to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from in-use (existing) off-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in California. Such vehicles are used in construction, mining, and industrial operations. For more information, please call the diesel vehicle information hot line at 866-6DIESEL or 866-634-3735.
What's New? (Posted July 9, 2012):
Many two-engine vehicles that were designed to be driven on-road are subject to the Off-Road Regulation and must be reported. For more information see Regulatory Advisory 12-02B.
Learn More... On May 25, 2006, the ARB considered and approved a regulation to reduce emissions from forklifts, industrial tow tractors, industrial sweeper/scrubbers, and pieces of airport ground support equipment (GSE) powered by Large Spark-Ignited Engines (LSI) engines. The largest concentrations of LSI equipment are found in warehousing and manufacturing (primarily forklifts) and in airline operations (GSE are found in both airline and contracted aviation services fleets). The regulation became operative under California law on May 12, 2007. The regulation establishes fleet average emission level standards and retrofit requirements for operators of LSI engine powered equipment. It also establishes record-keeping requirements.
Learn More... Owners or operators of portable engines and certain other types of equipment can register their units under the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) in order to operate their equipment throughout California without having to obtain individual permits from local air districts. For 2012, engine manufacturers are required to produce engines in all power categories that are certified to the Interim Tier 4 level. Engines that were produced under the "flex" provisions of either 40 CFR part 89.102 or 1039.625 will continue to be eligible for initial registration in PERP. On July 1, 2012, to apply for initial registration in PERP, all non-flex diesel engines rated 50 bhp and above must be certified to the interim Tier 4 emission standard. The fleet standards from the Portable Engine ATCM take effect January 1, 2013.
Learn More...  Driving Toward a Cleaner California (DTCC) is a coalition of owner-operators, farmers, construction contractors and other business and community leaders committed to working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to craft a sensible truck and bus replacement rule that both cleans the air and keeps California's economy moving forward.
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